Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged leaders from the Western region to unite if they want to be relevant in national politics.
He said both elected and appointed leaders from the region should speak with one voice and unite the community so they can get a "reasonable piece of the national cake".
The governor said they should emulate their coastal and Nyanza counterparts who have already seen the light and united their communities.
"I urge leaders from Western region to rally behind the initiative of the Luhya unity and speak with one language for development in this region," Barasa said.
The county chief said only when the leaders come together, regardless of their political affiliations, that the community will gain respect across the republic.
"We are proud to be the second largest community in terms of population but surprisingly it does not make any political significance when it comes to national politics," the governor said.
He challenged National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other elected and appointed leaders from the region to unite the community.
Barasa was speaking on Saturday during the funeral of David Amaswache a former councillor for Mautuma ward in Lugari subcounty, Kakamega county.
Governor Barasa remembered Mzee Amaswache for his distinguished career as a teacher and politician.
As an educator, he served in various primary schools before he was elected as the national chairman of drama festivals.
As a politician, he held the position of councillor for the ward for two terms.
The funeral was also attended by Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, Baringo county commissioner Stephen Kutwa, among other mourners.
Meanwhile, Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana has urged members of the Luhya community to unconditionally rally behind Mudavadi and Wetang'ula.
Ikana said on Saturday that the two deserve honour and respect.
He said the decision by Mudavadi and Wetang'ula to team up with President William Ruto ahead of the 2022 elections proved that they were foresighted.
"I urge members of my Mulembe Nation to fully support Mudavadi and Wetang'ula for us to negotiate for opportunities at the national table. Let us use them to benefit from the Kenya Kwanza administration," the MP
